THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


INTO   THE   SUNSHINE 


OTHER   POEMS. 


AELLA     GREENE, 

AUTHOR    OF 

"Rhymes  of  Yankee  L*nd." 


BOSTON : 
LEE  &   SHEPARD,  PUBLISHERS. 

NEW  YORK : 
CHARLES  T.  DILLINGHAM. 

1882. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1881,  by 

AELLA  GREENE, 
In  the  office  of  the  Librarian  ot  Congress,  at  Washington. 


CLARK    W.   BRYAN    &    COMPANY, 

ELECTROTYPERS,    PRINTERS    AND    BINDERS, 

HOLYOKB,    MASS. 


1QQ2. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

••BRIGHT  ON  YOUR  NATIVE  HILLS," 9 

"WHERE  THE  NOBLE  HAVE  THEIR  COUNTRY,"  11 

THE  BEAUTY  OF  HELPING, -13 

"  SHE  PLACED  THE  BITTER  SWEET," 15 

THE  LESSONS  OF  THE  SEASONS 18 

''WHICH  HYMNS  NEW  ENGLAND'S  PRAISE,  - 21 

"  COME,  HAPPY  BIRD," 24 

FOR  ALL  LIKE  THEE, 26 

WlNSOMENESS  AND  WORTH, 27 

A  HEROINE, 30 

OF  THEE  IN  SONG, 31 

CARL  CARLTON, 33 

THE  BAY  STATE'S  FORTY-SECOND, 37 

CLARK  AND  THE  TWENT.Y-FIRST 40 

ON  MEMORIAL  DAY, 43 

A  HERO'S  GRAVE, 44 

THE  IMPERIAL, 45 

WILLIAM  WILLIAMS, 47 

THE  CRITICS, 49 

THE  CRITIC  CRITICISED, 51 

AMONG  THE  LISBON  HILLS, 53 

A  GOLDEN  DAY, 55 

OUR  FAITH,  His  STAR, 57 

THEE  AND  THINE, 59 

THINE, 61 

THEY  MEET  AGAIN 63 


4  CONTENTS. 

"Too  MANY  HEARTS  ARE  SAD  TO-NIGHT," 60 

ANENT  A  FINE  OLD  TOWN, cs 

CONCERNING  ONE  You  LOVE, 71 

THE  SPECIAL  CHARGE, 7:; 

THE  GOOD-BYE,  * 75 

WISELY  KIND, 77 

INTO  THE  SUNSHINE, 7:1 

ALWAYS  WITH  THEE, .  81 

THE  BRIGHT  BELIEF, 82 

THE  NEW  JOY, , 86 

TRIED  AND  TRUE, 87 

A  TRIBUTE, .,«.«...  oo 

THE  INNER  SIGHT, 94 

"THOU  SWEETEST  BIRD,"       .                                           ....  97 


*  IN    REMEMBRANCE    OF 

T  W  O , 

WHO    ARE    BEAUTIFULLY    ONE, 

AND     OF     OTHERS     LIKE     THEM, 

THIS    VOLUME 

IS 

RESPECTFULLY    INSCRIBED. 


A  REMINISCENCE. 


ESTEEMED  FRIEND  : 

The  press  has  informed  the  public  that  scholars  eminent  for  their 
learning  and  bards  whom  America  delights  to  call  her  own  have  given 
commendations  concerning  specimens  of  my  rhythmic  work.  To  these 
encomiums,  which  marked  with  bright  significance  several  days  of  1880 
and  of  the  present  year,  one  who  feels  honored  above  measure  now  briefly 
refers,  in  order  to  tell  you  that  the  praiseful  mention  by  those  masters 
of  song  did  not  give  him  joy  greater  than  that  inspired  by  words  which 
you  spoke  to  him,  long  ago,  when  friends  were  few.  These  more  recent 
days  of  benediction  he  will  in  future  recall  with  the  liveliest  emotions 
of  gratitude,  but  of  that  other  day,  when  you  gave  cheer,  no  words  of  his 
can  fully  tell,  and  he  borrows  better  verse  than  his  own  to  name  it  a 
day 

"  So  memorably  wonderful  and  sweet, 
Its  power  of  inspiration  lingers  still.  " 

A.  G. 

SPRINGFIELD,  MASS.,  1881. 


"BRIGHT  ON  YOUR  NATIVE  HILLS." 

T)  RIGHT  on  your  native  hills 
The  sun  benignant  beams, 
Perennial  down  the  pleasant  slopes 

Still  sing  the  happy  streams 
Which  feed    yon  river's  tide  that  flows 

In  beauty  through  the  vale  ; 
Transparent,  purling  brooks 

Which  sing  of   springs  that  never  fail; 
And  grand  the  mountains  stand,  as  erst, 

When  there   your  kindred  dwelt, 
And  fresh  the  mountain  winds  as  airs 

Their  fields  and  flowers  felt. 

And    ye  remain  to  keep  their  homes, 
And  guard  the  noble  name 


io  "BRIGHT  ON  YOUR  NATIVE  HILLS." 

Earned  by  their  share  of    those  grand  deeds 

That  give  New  England  fame. 
Shines  their  example,  still,  as  bright 

As  beams  the  golden  sun  ; 
Flows  still  their  influence  as  pure 

As  mountain  waters  run. 
So  cherish   ye  the  fame  they  gained, 

And  emulate  their  worth, 
Your  names,  when    ye  are  gone,  shall  live 

Perennial  in  the  earth  1 


WHERE   THE    XOBLE    HAVE   THEIR 
COUNTRY." 

A    BOVE  the  grandeur  of   the  sunsets 
Which  delight  this  earthly  clime, 
And  the  brightest  of  the  dawnings 

Breaking  o'er  the  hills  of   time, 
Is  the  richness  of  the  radiance 
Of  the  land  beyond  the  sun, 
Where  the  noble  have  their  country 
When  the  work  of  life  is  done  ; 

With  the  deep,  mysterious  problem 
Of  their  earthly  life  made  plain  ; 

All  the  bitter  turned  to  sweetness, 
All  the  losses  turned  to  gain  ; 


12      "WHERE    THE    NOBLE    HAVE    THEIR    COUNTRY. 

And  the  new  life's  heavenly  rapture 
Far  exceeding  griefs  of  this  ; 

Earth's  hard  toiling  all  forgotten 
In  the  restfulness  of  bliss  ! 

And  the  music  of  their  welcome, 

From  angelic  lyres  of  gold. 
Shall  full  often  be  repeated, 

Yet  it  never  shall  grow  old  ; 
Music  grander  than  earth's  noblest, 

Than  all  eloquence  of  words, 
And  the  sweetest  of  the  carols 

Of  the  gladdest  of  the  birds  ! 


THE   BEAUTY  OF   HELPING. 

GOOD  friend,  if  every  one  observed 
r 

The  mandate  to  be  kind, 
If  all  were  courteous  as  thyself, 

And  helpfully  inclined, 
How  bright  a  scene  this  earth  would  be, 

How  light  life's  burdens  prove  ; 
How  blithe,  along  life's  rugged  road, 

Would  pilgrims  singing  move  ! 

Sweet  resonance  of  sparkling  streams 
Would  bless  life's  desert  drear  ; 

And  birds  would  sing,  and  flowers  and  fruit 
With  fragrance  fill  the  air  ! 


14  THE    BEAUTY    OF    HELPING. 

There  is  no  overestimate 

Of  kindness  to  our  kind, 
And  brightest  stars  will  bless  the  man 

To  nelpful  ways  inclined  ! 


"SHE  PLACED  THE  BITTER  SWEET." 

r  I  ^O  girlhood's  home  returning, 

She  placed  the  bitter  sweet 
Within  the  grand  old  mansion, 
Where  sunbeams  shadows  meet. 

And  there  her  voice  :   "  Henceforward 
Be  kindness  all  my  theme  ; 

With  constant  hand  dispensing, 
The  moments  to  redeem  ; 

"  Teaching,  if  I  have  suffered, 
I  would  the  world  be  blest  ; 

Praying,  if  I  have  struggled,  . 
The  weary  have  good  rest. 


l6  "SHE    PLACED    THE    BITTER    SWEET." 

"  I  thank  thee,  Heavenly  Father — 
My  name  thou  hast  kept  sweet, 

And,  through  these  bitter  trials, 
Hast  kept  my  ways  discreet." 

The  silver  tresses  mingling 
Her  raven  locks  among 

Mean  more  than  years  ;   they  index 
Her  heart's  own  sorrows  wrung  ; 

Of  which,  most  like,  she  tells  not, 

So  reticent  of  grief  ; 
As  most  like  she  hath  suffered 
Too  deeply  for  belief. 

Beyond  that  first  revealing- 
She  speaks  not  of  her  lot  ; 


"SHE    PLACED    THE    BITTER    SWEET."  I/ 

Hoping  her  many  sorrows 
By  earth  be  all  forgot  ! 

To  girlhood's  home  returning, 

She  placed  the  bitter  sweet 
Within  the  grand  old  mansion, 

Where  sunbeams  shadows  meet ! 


THE   LESSON   OF  THE  SEASONS. 

T  T  OW  happy,  sparkling  in  the  sun, 
Down  hills  the  brooklets  sing, 
When  April  warms  the  flowers  to  life 
And  birds  are  on  the  wing. 

Though  fervid  glows  the  solar  orb, 

On  torrid  summer  days, 
Yet  brief  its  reign  ere  earth  is  blest 

With  milder  autumn  rays. 

Serene  October  days,  how  pure, 
How  choice  the  joys  ye  bring, 

In  foliage  bright  and  ripened  grain, 
Fulfillment  of  the  spring  ! 


THE  LESSON  OF  THE  SEASONS. 

And  welcome  is  the  later  sun 
That  cheers  November's  gloom, 

With  foretaste,  in  the  dying  year, 
Of  coming  breath  and  bloom. 

Ye  dearest  "Indian  summer"  days, 

Of  that  brief,  golden  time, 
Imparting,  ere  the  winter's  snows, 

Choice  tints  to  autumn's  rime  ; 

Though  sad  the  memories  that  ye  bring 

Of  wrongs  by  Indians  done, 
Poetic  period  of  the  year, 

Live  on,  while  lives  the  sun  ! 

And,  sing  who  will  December  drear, 
Oft,  in  its  coldest  days, 


2O          THE  LESSON  OF  THE  SEASONS. 

Sweet  hours  of  brightest  sunshine  come, 
Inspiring  warmest  praise, 

To  Him  who,  all  the  seasons  through, 

Apportions,  with  kind  care, 
The  wind  and  calm,  the  rain  and  snow 

And  varied  dark  and  glare — 

That  earth  be  blest  with  bud  and  bloom, 

And  yield  abundant  grain, 
And  mortals  find  each  season  good, 

With  nothing  made  in  vain. 


"WHICH    HYMNS    NEW    ENGLAND'S 
PRAISE." 

\T  7" HO  partial  thinks  that  singing  is 

Which  hymns  New  England's  praise, 
Go  read  the  nation's  history 

Through  all  its  trial  days, 
And  learn  how  well  New  England  leads 

In  national  affairs, 
And,   with  good  faith  and  loyalty, 

The  nation's  burdens  bears. 

So,  then,  full  fearlessly,  with  joy, 

Whatever  banner  flaunt  ; 
Do  other  rebels  greet  with  scorn, 

Or  aliens  with  a  taunt  ; 


22          "  WHICH    HYMNS    NEW    ENGLAND'S    PRAISE." 

We  '11  sing  their  name,  whose  head  and  heart, 

And  never  faltering  hand, 
Have  well  upheld  the  stars  and  stripes — 

God  bless  our  Yankee  land  ! 

Oh  could  I  be  forgiven,  did 

My  heart  not  turn  to  thee, 
With  gratitude  and  pride,  dear  land, 

For  all  thou  art  to  me  ! 
Thine  atmosphere  and  scenery, 

Thy  present,  future,  past  ; 
Thy  trials  first,  and  glory  now, 

To  last  while  time  shall  last  ? 

God  bless  the  land  where  I  was  born, 

And  played,  a  happy  child, 
Ere  yet  I  saw  a  Southern  swamp, 

Or  roamed  a  Western  wild  ; 


"WHICH    HYMNS    NEW    ENGLAND  S    PRAISE.  23 

And  where,  within  a  cot  among 

The  good  New  England  hills, 
My  early  being  was  attuned 

By  cadence  of  the  rills. 

And  in  the  future  of  my  life, 

Where'er  my  pathway  lies, 
Whatever  lot  is  meted  out, 

Or  kind,  or  cold  my  skies  ; 
Still  evermore  my  song,  at  home, 

Or  on  a  foreign  strand, 
Through  life,  and  at  the  honest  hour — 

God  bless  our  Yankee  land  ! 


"COME,    HAPPY   BIRD." 

/""*OME,  happy  bird  of  sweetest  note, 

Blithe  bird  of  brightest  wing, 
Of  one  who  close  resembles  thee, 
Thy  choicest  matin   sing. 

She  charms  her  home,  as  thou  thy  bower, 

With  liquid  warblings  sweet, 
And  marks  each  hour  with  words  sincere, 

And  winsome  ways  discreet. 

Sing,  bird,  so  bravely  and  so  well, 
That  one  who  seeks  her  hand 

Shall  be  inspired  to  speak  and  act 
The  bravest  in  the  land. 


"COME,  HAPPY  BIRD."  25 

For  only  thus  shall  he  attain 

To  favor  in  her  eyes, 
Who  but  withholds,  that  he  may  win, 

What  he  esteems  a  prize  ; 

While  hers  is  modest  estimate 

Of  worth  she  may  possess, 
As  thine,  sweet  warbler,  of  thy  songs 

His  listening  ears  that  bless. 

Come,  happy  bird,  of  sweetest  note, 

Blithe  bird  of  brightest  wing, 
Of  one  who  close  resembles  thee, 

Thy  choicest  matin  sing. 


FOR  ALL  LIKE  THEE. 

TV  /T  AIDEN  discreet,  I  give  thee  praise 

For  words  select  and  comely  ways, 
And  wish  thee  many   joyous  days, 
And  worthy  friends. 

May  Honor  win,  by  grand  address, 
The  blissful  good  of  thy  caress, 
And  True  Love  come,  thy  heart  to  bless, 
And  Hope  to  cheer. 

For  all  like  thee  discreetly  kind 
May  every  cloud  be  silver-lined  ; 
For  them  be  thornless  roses  twined, 
And  evergreen  ! 


WINSOMENESS  AND  WORTH. 

S~\   BLEST  with  innocence  and  health, 
And  wisdom  far  above  thy  years, 
Who  hast  not  felt  heart-rending  griefs, 
Nor  wept  the  bitter,  scalding  tears, — 

Thou  prized  by  all  the  excellent, 
Thou  light  and  joy  of  every  home 

Where  friendship  welcomes  thee  to  call 
Or  mercy  bids  thee  helpful  come, — 

Exquisite  maiden,  whose  bright  ways 
Are  pride  of  her  who  did  thee  bear, 

And  who,  these  years,  with  tender  hand, 
Hath  nurtured  thee  with  fondest  care,— 


28  WINSOMENESS    AND    WORTH. 

Prize  thou  thyself,  thy  parents  prize, 
Thy  home  and  all  its  quiet  joys  ; 

And  keep  thee,  much  as  in  thee  lies, 
From  earth's  frivolity  and  noise. 

Cherish  the  gift  of  thy  good  sense, 

And  earnest  bravery,  to  keep 
Thy  soul  from  all  that  causes  shame 

And  makes  the  watching  angels  weep  ! 

For  thee  God  grant  the  kindest  skies, 
For  thee  sincerest,  noblest  friends  ; 

For  thee  all  earth's  substantial  good, 
And  heaven,  when  earth's  ordeal  ends. 

For  him  whose  worth  deserves  thy  heart, 
And  whose  brave  ways  thy  heart  shall  win, 


WINSOMENESS    AND    WORTH.  2Q 

May  brightest  stars  benignant  beam, 
For  him,  and  all  his  noble  kin. 

O  blest  with  innocence  and  health, 

And  wisdom  far  above  thy  years, 
Thy  heart  be  long  unknown  to  grief, 

And  long  thine  eyes  unknowing  tears  ! 


A  HEROINE. 

SERENEST  star  thy  radiance  shed 
-_ 

For  one  of  highest  worth, 

A  heroine  whose  life  speaks  more 
Of  heaven  than  of  the  earth ; 

One  fully  fitted  for  the  skies, 

Yet  well  content  to  wait, 
And  work  to  bless  this  world  of  want, 

And  reach  her  heaven  late  ! 

Thou  calm,  sweet  star,  thy  beams  find  not, 

In  any  clime  of  earth, 
More  pure  unselfishness  than  this, 

Nor  more  exalted  worth. 


"OF  THEE  IN   SONG." 

r  I  "RUE  wife,  sweetheart,  the  work  that  comes 

My  absence  to  prolong 
Leaves,  still,  one  sunny  hour  in  which 
To  think  of  thee  in  song. 

My  gratitude,  dear  one,  for  prayers 

The  Father  answers  well, 
In  bright,  perennial  hopes,  of  which 

I  have  not  time  to  tell  ; 

In  friends  who  cheer  me  at  my  tasks 

And  pray  that  God  will  bless, 
Who  earnestly  and  constantly 

Desire  me  full  success  ; 


32  "OF    THEE    IN    SONG." 

In  faith  to  toil  with  courage  on 

And  patiently  to  wait 
For  wished  rewards  ;  in  faith  that  God 

From  every  cruel  fate 

Will  keep  rum  whom  thou  lov'st,  and  send 
From  heaven  good  angels  near, 

To  cheer  a'nd  bless  the  one  who  holds 
My  dear  ambitions  dear. 


CARL  CARLTON. 

A     TRUE  man  is  Carl  Carlton, 

Who  has  the  night  express, 
And  one  the  brightest  angels 
Delight  to  guard  and  bless. 

And  noble  is  the  woman 

Who  shares  this  Carlton's  joys, 

And  bore,  to  bless  his  good  heart, 
Four  bright-eyed  girls  and  boys. 

It  was  by  gallant  action 
He  won  his  lady's  heart; 

Not  by  a  wealth  of  presents, 
Nor  by  the  courtier's  art. 


34  CARL    CARLTON. 

He  was  a  homely  rustic, 
Of  twenty  years,  or  so, 

A  train  man  on  the  night  cars, 
A  score  of  years  ago. 

The  one  who  then  commanded 
Was  cowardly  and  vile, 

And  used  his  place  with  cunning, 
The  sinless  to  beguile  ; 

And,  with  some  sporting  fellows, 
By  praise  of  voice  and  curl, 

To  jaunt  upon  the  night  train, 
Had  lured  a  bright-eyed  girl. 

They  whispered  basest  insult 
That  brought  a  blush  of  shame ; 


CARL    CARLTOX.  35 

The  brave  man  saw  her  peril, 
His  eyes  with  wrath  aflame ! 

And  as  they  neared  the  station, 

And  seized  to  lead  away, 
And,  pale  with  fright  the  maiden 

Began  to  weep  and  pray, 

Brave  Carlton's  quick  blows  felled  them, 

Conductor  and  his  crew, 
And,  opening  the  car  door, 

He  thrust  the  villains  through  ! 

The  passengers  applauded, 

And  they  who  owned  the  road, 
Assembled  at  head-quarters, 

Official  praise  bestowed. 


36  CARL    CARLTON. 

And  Carlton  was  appointed 
The  chief  man  of  the  train, 

With  orders,  if  it  need  be, 
To  act  as  brave  again. 

A  year  from  this  occurrence, 
The  hero  claimed  the  heart 

He  earned  by  gallant  action 
Above  the  courtier's  art. 

Her  parents  gave  them  blessing, 
And  wished  them  golden  days, 

And  I  wish  all  would  copy 
Brave  Carlton's  noble  ways. 


THE  BAY  STATE'S  FORTY-SECOND. 

"\T  7 HEN,  erst,  the  nation  was  besieged 

By  armed  rebellious  loemen, 
And  peace  had  fled,  and  skies  were  dark 

With  every  direful  omen  ; 
And  Lincoln,  from  the  capitol, 

For  aid  so  wistful  beckoned, 
Not  least  among  the  men  to  march 

The  Bay  state's  Forty-second  ! 

Now  that  the  din  of  war  is  done, 
And  glad  the  war  cloud  's  risen, 

They  come  with  thought  of  camp  and  field, 
And  of  the  rebel  prison  ! 


38  THE  BAY  STATE'S  FORTY-SECOND. 

They  gather  here  for  hearty  words, 

In  kindly  interest  spoken 
To  make  the  bands  of  friendship  strong, 

That  never  may  be  broken  ! 

Should  Treason  arm  agam  its  hosts, 

To  fill  the  land  with  trouble, 
Her  deepest  schemes  of  ill  would  prove 

An  evanescent  bubble  ; 
For  those  brave  men  would  rise  again 

And  march,  with  others  like  them, 
To  capture  quick  the  forts  and  guns 

And  ever  more  to  spike  them. 

And,  wishing  you  much  earthly  joy, 
And  entrance  late  to  heaven, 

I  speak  this  sincere  offering, 
In  rhythmic  numbers  given, 


THE  BAY  STATE'S  FORTY-SECOND.  39 

By  one  who  deems  it  pleasant  fame 

That  he  is  welcome  reckoned, 
A  member,  in  good  standing,  with 

The  Bay  state's  Forty-second  ! 


CLARK  AND  THE  TWENTY-FIRST. 

TT  7 HEN  Colonel  Clark  of  Amherst 

Was  major  in  the  field, 
Contending,  in  the  South-land, 

To  make  the  rebels  yield, 
The  general  said,  "  Brave  major, 

You  and  the  Twenty-first 
Must  charge  the  rebels  yonder, 

Where  they  will  do  their  worst  !  " 

Then  prompt  the  major  uttered 
The  simple  answer   "  Yes  !  " 

And  bravely  they  moved  forward 
Whom  we  delight  to  bless. 


CLARK    AND    THE    TWENTY-FIRST.  4! 

There,  on  the  isle  of  Roanoke, 

Clark  and  the  Twenty-first 
Discomfited  the  rebels, 

Who  did  their  bitter  worst. 

Then,  in  the  rebel  stronghold, 

The  Bay  State  flag  was  placed. 
And  bright  a  starry  banner 

The  rebel  fortress  graced. 
And  through  much  more  of  warring 

Clark  and  his  men  were  true  ; 
They  went  forth  strong  a  thousand, 

They  came  a  war-worn  few  ! 

The  angels  kept  the  leader 

Who  dared  the  thickest  fight 
And  fought  to  hold  the  colors 

And  keep  our  honor  bright. 


42  CLARK    AND    THE    TWENTV-FIRST. 

Then,  much  the  rebels  hated, 
And  often,  since,  have  cursed, 

Whom  we  delight  to  honor, 
Clark  and  the  Twenty-first. 

God  bless  all  gallant  soldiers 

Who  battled  for  the  flag, 
And  conquered,  in  the  South-land, 

Them  of  the  rebel  rag  ; 
And  through  our  glorious  luture, 

Be  songs  to  all  who,  erst, 
In  bravery  resembled 

Clark  and  the  Twenty-first 


ON  MEMORIAL  DAY. 

"V/'E  soldiers  of  the  flag,  who  fought 

To  save  the  nation's  life, 
And  home  returned  with  honor's  scars. 

When  closed  the  fearful  strife, 
As  gaze  ye  on  the  graves  where  sleep 

The  men  with  you  allied, 
Who  fell  before  the  victory  came — , 

To  honor  those  who  died, 
Your  powers  and  time  re-dedicate 

To  deeds  of  noblest  worth  ; 
That  thus  your  country's  flag  shall  be 

The  o;randest  in  the  earth. 


A  HERO'S   GRAVE. 

A     CHRISTIAN,  comrade,  son,  and  friend 

Is  slumbering  'neath  this  sod  ; 
His  form  is  there,  his  name  with  us, 
His  spirit  with  his  God. 

Fit  place  it  is  for  hero's  grave, 

Where  mountain  zephyrs  play  ; 
Where  fair  ones  bring  the  choicest  flowers, 

And  good  men  pause  to  pray. 

To  designate  his  sepulcher, 

We  raise  this  shaft,  but  trust 
His  deeds  shall  live  when  monuments 

Are  crumbled  into  dust. 


THE  IMPERIAL. 

T  MPERIAL  moves  the  lofty  one 

Along  the  Fashion  street, 
His  head  in  pain  from  hitting  stars, 

While  boys  with  laughter  greet 
His  supercilious  presence  cold 

And  manners  of  the  sky  ; 
The  common  folk  award  him  space, 

And  dogs  his  coming  fly  ! 

Proud  peacocks,  jealous  of  his  style, 
Have  much  discussed  a  plan 

To  free  themselves,  and  rid  the  earth, 
Of  this  sublimest  man 


46  THE    IMPERIAL. 

May  heavenly  powers  their  hatred  thwart, 

And  cool  their  mighty  ire, 
Spare  him  from  griefs  of  common  men 

And  from  the  final  fire  ! 

Give  him  above  a  lofty  seat, 

And  caution  Gabriel  well 
To  quench  such  jealousy  as  plunged 

Prince  Lucifer  to  hell  ; 
Old  Lucifer,  who  fell  from  power 

At  less  offending  pride 
Than  that  by  which,  if  this  one  rise, 

Good  Gabriel  will  be  tried  ! 


WILLIAM    WILLIAMS. 

\T  7  HEN  William  Williams  walks  abroad 

He  trips  along  so  proud, 
And  steps  so  dainty  on  the  street 
Rude  people  laugh  aloud. 

These  lines  expressive  of  regret 
That  they  should  think  to  scorn 

The  man  for  whom  the  earth  was  made 
And  stars  the  skies  adorn  ! 

For  whom  the  Summer  solstice  burns  ; 

For  whom  the  Winter's  cold, 
The  verdure  of  the  pleasant  Spring, 

And  Autumn's  red  and  scold  ! 


48  WILLIAM    WILLIAMS. 

A  man  of  ancient  family, 

Whom  heraldry  correct 
Points  backward,  to  a  crown  and  throne, 

Through  ancestry  direct. 

And,  still,  when  Williams  walks  abroad 

He  has  a  gait  so  proud, 
And  steps  so  dainty  on  the  street, 

The  rude  will  laugh  aloud  ! 


THE  CRITICS. 

'r~T*HE  wicked  wish  some  critics  have, 

And  knack,  and  greed,  to  kill, 
May  pass  quite  readily  for  taste, 
And  evidence  of   skill  ; 

But  were  there  none  to  write  a  verse, 

Or  paragraph  of  prose, 
How  critics  then  would  pass  their  time, 

Is  more  than  mortal  knows. 

They  might  ascend  the  upper  spheres, 

To  criticise  the  stars, 
And  teach  good  manners  and  good  sense 

To  Jupiter  "and  Mars  ; 


5<D  •         THE    CRITICS. 

Then  clip  away  old  Saturn's  rings 
And  set  him  bounds  to  run  ; 

Or  venture  near  the  solar  fires, 
To  regulate  the  sun  ! 

And  should  these  critics  go  to  Heaven 

Their  joy  would  be  to  tell 
How  saints  might  tune  their  harps  correct 

And  sing  hosannas  well  ! 


THE  CRITIC  CRITICISED. 


'T^HESE  lines  to  tell  thee,  bards 

Who  sing  for  all  the  listening  land, 
And  sages  wise  and  famed,  had  named 

Felicitous  and  grand 
The  verse  on  which  thou  didst 

Invoke  an  ignominious  fate, 
And,  with  high  scornful  wrath,  declare 

Unworthy  of  thy  hate  ! 

Then  thou,  with  thy  gray  eyes 

Quick  twinkling  in  their  greedy  glee, 

And  rubbing  thy  cold  palms,  didst  look, 
Expectant  long  to  see 


52  THE    CRITIC    CRITICISED. 

Before  thee,  suppliant  still, 

Thy  victim  bow  in  further  prayer, 

And  then  his  trembling  form  begin 
Dissolving  into  air  ! 

Instead,  at  equipoise, 

He  gazed  the  while  in  high  delight 
On  thy  hard  face,  then  left  thee  there 

All  powerless  in  thy  might  ! 
Although  thou  gav'st  him  joy, 

He  does  not  thank  thee  for  the  bliss  ; 
That  verse  to  thee  seemed  lacking  fire ; 

Grim  critic,  say,  does  this  ? 


AMONG  THE  LISBON   HILLS. 

fO  G.   H.   A. 

RUE-HEARTED  friend,  whose  greeting  kin 
Transforms  the  town,  to  me, 
From  busy  Babel,  to  a  place 
Of  fountain,  flower,  and  tree  ; 

From  me  bear  words  of  cneer  to  her 

Who  taught  thee  noble  ways, 
And  say  I  wish  that  she  may  have 

Serenest  sunset  days 

In  Lisbon  village,  'mong  the  hills, 

Where,  erst,  she  taught  her  boy 
In  deeds  of  gentleness  and  trust 

To  find  his  highest  joy  ! 


54  AMONG    THE    LISBON    HILLS. 

And  say  I  pray  his  noble  ways 

Full  many  more  may  lead, 
Throughout  their  lives  to  bless  their  kind, 

By  helpful  word  and  deed. 

And  tell  to  her  my  hopes  to  greet, 

If  favoring  Heaven  wills, 
The  mother  of  my  faithful  friend, 

Among  the  Lisbon  hills. 


A  GOLDEN  DAY. 

IV  /TOST  joyous  day  when  kindred,  good, 

And  old  acquaintance  dear, 
Assemble  with  fit  tokens,  kind, 
And  words  of  hearty  cheer, 

To  greet  and  bless  the  aged  pair 

Who  fifty  years  ago, 
Took  vows  to  share  each  other's  lot, 

Or  be  it  joy  or  woe. 

Ye  silvered  ones,  as  ye  review 

These  fifty  toilsome  years, 
How  brief  appear  tlieir  flitting  scenes 

Of  varied  joys  and  tears  ! 


56  A    GOLDEN    DAY. 

And  yet,  with  grandest  meaning  fraught, 

Was  golden  every  day, 
With  rest  for  all  the  toil,  and  sun 

To  drive  each  cloud  away. 

And,  grateful  that  good  Providence 

Hath  kept  you  hitherto, 
We  pray  the  angels  guard  your  steps 

The  earthly  journey  through. 


OUR   FAITH,   HIS    STAR. 

HOW  blessed  to  believe  in  men  ; 

It  lifts  us  out  earth's  dust  ; 
That  which  we  trust  a  man  to  be 
We  make  the  man  we  trust. 

Our  faith  his  sun  succeeding  storm, 
Spring  after  Winter's  blast  ; 

Heaven's  health  and  peace,  when  war 
And  pestilence  are  past  ; 

Sweet,   joy-inspiring  airs,  to  drive 
The  desert's  torrid  breath  ; 

Verdure  and  singing  birds  in  place 
Of  barrenness  and  death  ! 


$8  OUR    FAITH,    HIS    STAR. 

Our  faith  for  him  a  star  of  hope, 

Salvation  and  its  cause  ; 
The  dispensation  following 
.  The  prophets  and  the  laws. 

For  him  our  faith  shall  bring  the  good 
Proclaimed  by  angel  song, 

The  dawn  at  night  which  shall  extend 
Through  all  his   years  along  ! 


THEE  AND  THINE. 

/""T%HE  thought  of  thee  and  thine  gives  cheer, 

And  aids  that  I  the  nobler  be  ; 
And  that  thou  holdest  thine  so  dear, 

Enhances  thee  and  thine  to  me  : 
Thy  mother,  sweeter  for  her  years  ; 

A  sister  beaming  with  delight  ; 
And  with  thee,  one  whom  love  endears, 

And  clustering  offspring  good  and  bright  ! 

And  when  thou  tellest  me,  with  pride, 
How  nobly  toiled  thy  mother,  erst, 

That  hers  with  her  might  all  abide  ; 

And  foiled  with  widow's  hands  the  worst 


6O  THEE    AND    THINE. 

That  fortune  and  false  friends  could  do 
To  break  the  circle  of  her  home  ; 

I  glow  with  thee  that  she  was  true, 

And  wish  her  bright,  good  years  to  come  I 


THINE. 

TO  C . 

r  I  ^HINE  be  a  pride  in  that  grand  state, 

Where  ruled  thy  kindred  well  ; 
And  where  may  all  thy  kith  and  kin 
In  peace  and  safety  dwell. 

Thine  be  ambition  high  to  keep 

Select  thy  father's  name, 
Within  the  town  thy  father  built, 

And  where  he  built  his  fame  ; 

Wherein  mayst  thou  have  during  peace, 
Good  gains,  true  friends  and  home  ; 

And  where,  for  thee,  if  days  be  dark, 
Be  brighter  days  to  come. 


62  THINE. 

Thine  be  that  most  selectest  bliss 

Among  the  joys  of  earth, 
The  blessed  consciousness  they  have, 

Who  honor  work  and  worth, 

And  find  their  words  and  timely  deeds, 
From  darkness  and  duress, 

Have  cheered  and  led  deserving  men 
To  sunlight  and  success  ! 

Thine,  then,  shall  be  all  earthly  good  ; 

For  thee  will  constant  shine 
Protecting  stars,  till  death,  and  then 

May  heavenly  joys  be  thine. 


THEY  MEET  AGAIN. 

*4  T  'LL  greet  my  old-time  lover, 

Come,  brother,  drive  away  ; 
I  '11  greet  my  old-time  lover, 
On  this  most  charming  day  ! 

"  His  home  is  in  these  landscapes 

Where  we  the  season  keep  ; 
I  know  he'll  greet  me  kindly  ; 
But  will  we  joy  or  weep  ? 

"  Ours  be  a  pleasant  meeting  ; 

Our  words  be  true  and  plain  ; 
And  I'll  be  wise  and  chary, 
To  give  his  wife  no  pain. 


64  THEY    MEET    AGAIN. 

"  Though  sad  and  though  unwedded, 

I'll  be  quite  blithe  to-day, 
And  greet  my  old-time  lover  ; 
Come,  brother,  drive  away  !  " 

The  roadsters  knew  their  errand 
And  grandly  coursed  along, 

As  sweep  the  waves  of  music 
In  a  majestic  song. 

And,  at  her  brother's  asking, 
One  neared  the  carriage  side, 

To  greet  his  old-time  sweetheart, 
Who  had  not  been  a  bride. 

With  earnest  words,  and  wishes 
That  were  not  spoken  loud, 


THEY    MEET    AGAIN.  6$ 

And  eyes  a  little  tearful, 
And  spirits  far  from  proud  ! 

They  asked  each  other's  welfare, 

Spoke  of  old  scenes  and  new  ; 
Referred  to  friends  still  living, 

And  some  beneath  the  yew  ; 

Then  bade  adieu  so  bravely 

It  was  a  scene  to  paint, 
Unmarred  by  foolish  sighing 

Or  plaint  to  match  a  plaint  ! 

They  wished  each  other  blessing 

Through  all  the  coming  days  ; 
And  I,  who  sing,  bespeak  them 

Abundant  cause  for  praise  ! 


"TOO  MANY  HEARTS  ARE  SAD  TO-NIGHT." 

r  I  "OO  many  hearts  are  sad,  to-night, 
I  may  not  dance  to  music  light. 
They  're  sad  from  hunger  and  from  pain, 
And  sad  from  sin's  polluting  stain. 
Low  down  in  cellars,  up  the  stairs, 
Where  freely  pass  the  winter  airs  ; 
'Neath  wretched  shed,  and  in  the  street, 
Where  pelt  the  piercing  storms  of  sleet, 
Are  pallid  cheeks,  and  sunken  eyes, 
And  forms  that  never  more  may  rise. 
Too  many  hearts  are  sad  to-night, 
I  cannot  dance  to  music  light, 
But  some  will  wake,  if  moved  aright, 
To  noble  purpose  and  brave  deed, 


"TOO    MANY    HEARTS    ARE    SAD    TO-NIGHT."          6/ 

And  nobly  with  their  duty  speed, 
Achieving  full,  complete  success, 
While  all  the  world,  admiring,  bless. 
All  this,  if,  now,  right  words  I  say, 
While  you  and  like  companions  gay 
In  dizzy  waltzing  whirl  away  ! 
Too  many  hearts  are  sad  to-night  ; 
I  will  not  dance  to  music  light  ! 


ANENT  A  FINE  OLD  TOWN. 

r  I  ""HIS  fine  shire  town  of  Franklin, 

This  Deerfield  valley  gem, 
This  home  of  cultured  people 

Has  one  thing  to  condemn, — 
The  witching  wine-cup  curses 

With  darkness  and  distress  ; 
But  honor's  pledges,  honored, 

Will  brighten  and  will  bless 
This  charming  town  in  Franklin, 

This  Deerfield  valley  gem, 
Where  dwell  the  grandest  people — 

With  one  thing  to  condemn  ! 

These  workers  for  the  people 
And  servants  of  the  Lord, 


ANENT    A    FINE   OLD    TOWN.  6c 

To  labor  here  in  Franklin 

Good  welcome  we  accord — 
Welcome  to  dear  old  Greenfield, 

This  Deerfield  valley  gem, 
Where  dwell  the  grandest  people, 

With  one  thing  to  condemn  ! 
Where  with  humane  endeavor, 

Wise,  earnest,  and  with  hope, 
Shall  be  no  more  remaining 

The  most  accursed  cup  ! 

Then,  in  their  noble  mission, 

These  servants  of  the  Lord, 
To  labor  here  in  Franklin, 

Full  welcome  we  accord — 
i 

To  raise  and  cheer  the  fallen, 
And  point  the  way  aright 


7O  ANENT    A    FINE   OLD   TOWN. 

From  bondage  into  freedom, 

From  darkness  to  the  light  ; 
Until,  in  grand  old  Greenfield, 
'  This  Deerfield  valley  gem, 
This  home  of  worthy  people, 
There  's  nothing  to  condemn  ! 


CONCERNING  ONE  YOU  LOVE. 

"\7OIJ  ask  me,  sir,  for  stanzas 
Concerning  one  you  love  ; 
The  angel  of  your  home  life, 
Companion  and  your  dove  ; 

An  artist  of  rare  merit, 

Yet  versed  in  household  cares  ; 
Wise  helpmeet,  whose  right  counsel 

Well  aids  your  own  affairs  ; 

A  lady  in  whose  presence 
Your  heart  is  ever  strong, 

And  one  you  well  might  reckon 
Above  the  highest  song  ! 


72  CONCERNING    ONE    YOU    LOVE. 

So,  then,  as  you  have  deemed  me 
Sufficient  for  the  task, 

I  speak  her  worth  in  numbers, 
As  you  were  kind  to  ask  ; 

And  wish  her  skill  as  artist 
Bring  praise  and  good  reward, 

And  both  your  lives  be  guarded 
By  angels  of  the  Lord. 


THE   SPECIAL  CHARGE. 

A      BIBLE  SCHOOL  our  special  charge, 

Wherein  the  little  and  the  large, 
Shall   sweetest  truths  of   Scripture  learn  ;  . 
Do  greatest  work,  nor  smallest  spurn  ; 
But  deem  it  ever  pleasant  lot, 
To  gather  in  from  hall  and  cot, 
From  way-side  stroll,  or  nursery  door, 
The  children  of  the  rich  and  poor, 
And  teach  them,  from  the  gospel  word, 
The  record  of  the  blessed  Lord, 
Who  came  to  earth  and  took  our  dust, 
And  died,  to  give  us  chance  to  trust. 
No  bashful  boy  outside  our  door, 
Shall  weep  that  no  one  prizes  more — 


74  THE    SPECIAL    CHARGE. 

That  none  ask  him  to  come  within 
The  walls  designed  to  fence  out  sin. 
We  welcome  each,  and  welcome  all, 
And  at  the  joy-inspiring  call, 
Of  mellow  bell  on  Sabbath  morn, 
When  brightest  smiles  his  face  adorn, 
And  at  the  eve,  and  through  the  week, 
Each  teacher  will  for  learners  seek, 
And  seek  them  gladly,  grandly,  too, 
As  angels  highest  errands  do  ! 


THE  GOOD-BYE. 

A      FRIEND,  well  wed,  and  happy  now 
As  when  he  took  a  husband's  vow, 
Gives  noble  sanction  to  my  verse, 
In  asking  that  my  pen  rehearse 
A  message,  daily  growing  dear, 
Of  olden  love,  and  faith,  and  fear. 
Would  all  who  love  were  wise  as  he 
Who  speaks  these  tender  thoughts  to  me, 
And  true  mate  won  with  him  to  dwell 
By  grandly  saying,  thus,  farewell  ! 
"  Good-bye  dear  girl  ;   a  kind  good-bye  ; 
I  cannot  tell  the  reason  why 
Thou  canst  refuse  to  bless  my  heart, 
And  hope  and  cheerfulness  impart. 


76  THE    GOOD-BYE. 

Why  is  it  thus  ?    why  must  it  be  ? 
That  I  no  more  may  hope  for  thee. 
Nay,  'tis  not  thus  ;    God  rules  not  so  ; 
How  adverse  earth,  what  winds  do  blow, 
Still,  for  each  one,   He  rules  o'er  all, 
Who  sees  the  wounded  sparrow  fall. 
He  sends  as  often  joy  as  grief, 
And  for  each  woe  vouchsafes  relief  ; 
Designs,  and  brings,  each  dreaded  ill, 
With  sweetest  j.oy  our  cup  to  fill. 
In  this  dear,  trying,  school  of  love 
Dissent,  perchance,  is  meant  to  prove 
How  much  I  love  thee,  and  how  well  ; 
So  thou  thy  heart  may  wisely  tell. 
This  being  so,  no  more  good-bye  ; 
Love  brings  me  faith  that  tells  me  why  ; 
A  blessed,  high,  perennial  trust, 
In  thee  as  true,  and  God  as  just." 


WISELY  KIND. 

A   CCEPT,  true  lady,  kind  and  wise, 

From  me  a  grateful  line, 
Inscribed,  in  heartfelt  praise,  to  worth 
And  noble  deeds  of  thine. 


Sincere  thy  words,  and  fitly  said  ; 

They  guide,  encourage,  cheer  ; 
Dispel  the  darkness  of  defeat, 

With  hope  displacing  fear. 

Some  kindnesses  are  burdensome, 
And  are  designed  as  debts  ; 

Not  thine,  the  favors  which,  bestowed, 
He  who  receives,  regrets. 


/8  WISELY    KIND. 

Like  pleasant  rain  thy  blessings  come, 

Refreshing  as  the  dew  ; 
Delightful  as  the  morning  sun, 

Or  as  the  upper  blue. 

Ah  !   faithful  friend,  how  fair  the  earth, 

In  every  clime  would  be, 
Did  all  possess  and  practice,  too, 

Unselfishness  like  thee. 


INTO  THE  SUNSHINE. 

r  I  "O  faith's  clear  sunshine,  for  relief, 

Let  us  lead  all  the  sons  of  grief  ; 
Into  the  sunshine  for  relief  ; 

From  out  the  dark  of  doubt's  deep  night 
Away  to  faith's  clear  morning  light, 
Out  of  the  dark  of  doubt's  deep  night. 

Into  the  sunshine,  with  a  sor\g  ; 
Their  cold  hands  take,  and  lead  along, 
Into  the  sunshine  with  a  song  ! 

Give  them  the  sunshine  of  your  trust  ; 
If  they  have  joy  you  surely  must 
Bestow  the  sunshine  of  your  trust. 


8O  INTO    THE    SUNSHINE. 

There  in  that  sunshine  give  them  bloom  ; 
For  roses  there  is  always  room, 
And  in  this  sunshine  roses  bloom. 

Live  in  the  sunshine  while  you  live, 
To  all  the  sad  your  sunshine  give, 
Live  in  sweet  sunshine  while  you  live. 

Into  the  sunshine,  when   you  die, 
Into  glad  sunshine  of  the  sky  ; 
Into  God's  sunshine  when  you  die  ! 


ALWAYS  WITH  THEE. 

T  N  sunny  days  of  childhood  playing, 

When  life  was  all  one  scene  of  Maying, 
And  thou  hadst  not  a  thought  of  straying, 
God  blessed  thee  then. 

Forgiving  all  thy  youthful  sinning, 
He  helped  thee  to  a  manly  winning 
Good  triumphs  o'er  a  bad  beginning, 

And  helps  thee  still, 

• 

That  in  the  strife  which  ceaseth  never, 
Demanding  watch  and  warring  ever, 
Thou  do,  by  manliest  endeavor, 
The  victor  be. 


THE  BRIGHT  BELIEF. 

T  F  sore  discouraged  and  distressed, 

With  sorrows  and  with  cares  oppressed, 
And  sins  confessed,  and  unconfessed, 
And  every  ill, 

The  heart  were  struggling  for  relief, 
And  found  no  succor  from  its  grief, 
In  buoyant  trust,  and  bright  belief, — 
How  sad  the  earth  ! 

A 

But  rules  reverse  of  these  obtain, 
Nor  mortal  suffered  yet  in  vain, 
A  trivial,  nor  the  largest  pain, 
Nor  ever  will. 


THE    BRIGHT    BELIEF.  .   83 

So  let  the  troubled  take  new  heart, 
Learn  well  of  suffering  the  art, 
Nor  shun  to  share  a  generous  part 
In  life's  good  griefs  ! 

The  saddest  his  of  all  estates, 
And  slave  is  he  to  dreadest  fates, 
And  farthest  he  from  heavenly  gates, 
Whom  doubt  doth  rule  ! 

But,  sad  one,  if  thou  triest  to  trust, 
In  spite  of  all  earth's  dark  and  dust, — 
Though  midst  them  living,  as  thou  must, — 
Thou  liv'st  above, — 

Then  fiends  that  strive  shall  strive  in  vain 
Control  of  thy  good  soul  to  gain, 


84     -  THE    BRIGHT    BELIEF. 

And  Hope,  true  angel,  for  thee  deign 
Her  constant  aid. 

For  none  hath  God  the  tender  care 
He  ever  shows  for  those  who  bear 
Of  life's  worst  woes  abundant  share, 
Enduring  well. 

Enduring  gives  the  power  t'  endure, 
With  skill  to  make  life's  troubles  fewer, 
And  suffering  makes  the  sufferer  pure, — 
So  welcome  ill. 

Bright  after  clouds  there  comes  the  sun, 
And  sweetest  rest  when  work  is  done, 
True  peace  is  but  by  warring  won, — 
True  wealth  by  toil  ! 


THE    BRIGHT    BELIEF.  85 

How  blessed  is  this  bright  belief, 
That  joy  which  cometh  after  grief, 

Is  sweetest  joy,  and  is  not  brief, 

• 

Like  other  joys  ! 

Inspiring,  grand  and  true  the  thought, 
That  bliss  by  bitter  trials  bought, 
Is  nearer  unto  heaven  than  aught 
On  earth  beside  I 


THE   NEW  JOY. 

\  T  7ITH  sincerest  gladness, 

Turn  thou  from  thy  sadness, 
Which  caused  almost  madness, 
And  sing  for  joy. 

Cease,  hero,  thy  grieving  ; 
Begin  the  retrieving  ; 
Thy  works  and  believing 

Shall  make  thee  strong. 

Thy  trial  completed, 
Where  thou  wast  defeated 
To  thee  shalt  be  meted 

Earth's  noblest  praise. 


TRIED  AND  TRUE. 

/^V   GIVEN  by  fiends  the  gall  to   drink, 

And  sweeter  grown  for  all  they  send, 
A  kind  and  watchful  Providence 

Will  soon  proclaim  the  ordeal's  end  ; 
Yet  call  thee  not  from  earth  above, 

But  ask  thee,  wearied  one,  take  rest  ; 
And  that  thy  restless  eyes  may  close, 

Command  that  from  the  roseate  west 
Angels  reposeful  influence  sweet 

Pour  forth,  to  give  thy  spirit  calm, 
And  others  send,  on  zephyrs  borne, 

To  soothe  thy  troubled  heart  with  balm 

Angelic  ones  shall  sentinel 

Thy  rest,  and  fragrance  waft,  till  day, 


TRIED    AND    TRUE. 

Shall  brightly  break  and  bid  thee,  glad, 

Thy  grateful  orisons  to  pay  ; 
Refreshed,  inhale  the  ambrosial  air 

And  walk  beneath  a  happy  sky, 
Inspired,  by  carol  of  the  birds 

And  songs  of  brooks  that  murmur  by, 
With  faith  that  heaven  will  bless  thy  days, 

Each  westering  sun  bring  peaceful  sleep, 
And  every  morn  new  evidence 

That  angels  tender  watch-care  keep  ! 

Heroic  sufferer,  who  hast  borne 

The  burden  of  a  broken  heart, 
Patiently,  artlessly,  and  yet 

With  all  the  dignity  of  art, 
While  so  intent  to  bless  the  world 

None  knew  what  woes  thy  own  heart  had- 


TRIED    AND    TRUE.  89 

Deep,  bitter  griefs,  which,  told  above, 
Would  make  the  heavenly  singers  sad, — 

Soon  shalt  thou  learn  the  gracious  truth, 
Through  griefs  and  cares  which  here  annoy, 

Heaven  builds  the  path  by  which  thy  feet 
Shall  reach  the  highest  hills  of  joy  ! 


A  TRIBUTE. 

/^V   THOUGHT  supreme  of  grand  delight  ! 

My  country's  bards  have  said 
That  words  which  my  poor  pen  has  traced 

Are  worthy  to  be  read  ! 
And  he  who  rules  Columbia's  realm 

Has  given  his  bright  name, 
To  tell  the  world  a  song  of  mine 

Is  not  unworthy  fame  ! 

With  rhythmic  record  of  these  joys 

This  truth,  ye  friends  of  mine, 
Had  ye  not  been  the  friends  ye  are, 

I  had  not  penned  a  line 


A    TRIBUTE.  91 

Which  could  command  the  hearty  praise 

Those  high-born  singers  give 
For  numbers  brief  of  mine  that  tell 

The  harmonies  ye  live. 

And  thou,  true  friend  of  other  days, 

And  true  through  all  these  years 
Of  Fortune's  oft  recurring  frowns, 

And  varied  hopes  and  fears, 
Had  I,  in  this  grand  hour,  the  harp 

On    which    in  rapture  hung 
The  men  who  heard  when  that  great  bard, 

Sublimest  Milton  sung, 

Then  might  I  dare  to  try  to  sing, 

In  fitting  terms  of  praise, 
Thou  man  of  high  and  sterling  worth, 

The  grandeur  of  thy  ways, 


92  A    TRIBUTE. 

And  goodness  of  thy  heart  sincere, 
Whose  faith  will  make  sublime 

Such  words  as  even  I  can  bring 
To  speak  of  thee  in  rhyme  ! 


Accept,  selectest  man  I  know, 

Who  met  my  sadder  years, 
And  all  unmindful  of  thy  griefs, 

Was  mindful  of  my  tears  ; 
Whose  kindness,  when  but  few  were  kind, 

And  noble  gentleness, 
Came  so  refreshingly  to  me, 

And  royally  did  bless  ; 

Accept  the  gratitude,  too  small, 

My  heart  would  offer  thee, 
For  thine  example  and  thine  aid 

So  freely  granted  me  ; 


A   TRIBUTE.  93 

The  heartiest  words  and  kindest  deeds, 

So  wisely,  freely  given, 
Imparting  to  my  bitterest  hours 

A  foretaste  of  my  heaven. 

Once,  scorned  by  those  whom  I  had  blest, 

And  doubted  for  my  trust, 
My  pleasant  plans  were  broken  all, 

My  hopes  were  in  the  dust. 
Then  thou  didst  cheer  me — blessed  hour  ! 

And  sacred  be  the  spot 
When  earth's  ignoble  men  are  both 

Forgiven  and  forgot  ! 


THE  INNER  SIGHT. 


thine  intuitions, 
They  always  lead  thee  right  ; 
In  all  of  thine  ambitions 
Heed  thou  the  inner  sight. 

Whatever  to  that  vision 
Seems  duty,  for  thee,  do  ; 

No  matter  what  derision 
The  doing  leads  thee  through. 

And  derision  it  will  bring  thee, 
Ere  the  world  shall  understand, 

And,  their  tardy  praises  sing  thee 
Whom  they  had  gladly  banned  ; 


THE    INNER    SIGHT.  95 

They  who  would  joy  to  shame  thee 

And  chill  thy  heart  with  fright, 
Did  not  thy  grit  proclaim  thee 

Superior  to  their  might. 

Brave  one,  thine  intuitions 

Shall  always  lead  thee  right ; 
In  all  of  thine  ambitions 

Heed  thou  the  inner  sight ! 

Directed  by  that  vision 

/ 
Thy  duty  bravely  do  ; 

The  glow  from  thy  decision 

Shall  light  and  lead  thee  through. 

Whatever  the  monitions 

Thou  hear'st  within  thee,  heed  ; 


96  THE    INNER    SIGHT. 

That  thou  to  have  contritions 
May  never  have  the  need. 

The  Father  is  forgiving, 
If  thou  repentest  sin  ; 

Yet  most  He  loves  that  living 
Which  hath  no  falseness  in. 


"THOU  SWEETEST   BIRD." 

\  1  7HILE  cheering  light 

Of  morning  bright 
On  eastern  hills  is  glowing, 


And  choicest  flowers 
In  any  bowers 
Or  any  landscape  growing 

Their  sweets  exhale, 
To  fill  the  gale 
Soft  on  the  valley  blowing, 

Thou  sweetest  bird 
Mine  ears  have  heard, 
Whose  liquid  music  flowing 


98  "THOU    SWEETEST    BIRD." 

Hath  magic  charms 

- 

To  still  alarms, 
The  sweetest  peace  bestowing, 

On  fleetest  wing 
Fly  thou  and  sing, 
To  cheer  a  brave  heart  bearing 

A  load  of  grief 

Beyond  belief, 

Beyond  an  angel's  daring  ; 

Though  worn  and  faint 
Telling  no  plaint, 
But  brave  on  life's  road  faring ; 

Through  griefs  discreet, 
With  spirit  sweet 
Well  worth  an  angel's  sharing. 


"  THOU    SWEETEST    BIRD."  99 

Sing,  bird  of  cheer, 
So  he  shall  hear 
Above  earth's  harshest  blaring. 

And  sing  again  ^ 

To  cheer  him,  when 
Noon's  fervid  heats  are  burning ; 

Assure  him  well 
That  thou  wilt  tell, 
Ere  next  the  noon's  returning, 

In  thy  best  tune, 
That  some  sweet  boon 
Shall  soothe  the  plaintive  yearning 

Of  his  sad  heart, 
As  he,  the  art 
Of  grand  endurance  learning, 


IOO  "  THOU    SWEETEST    BIRD. 

Seeks  only  joy 
Which  doth  not  cloy, 
All  vain  enjoyment  spurning. 

Then,  sweetest  bird 
Mine  ears  have  heard, 
When  sunset's  wealth  is  streaming 

In  western  skies, 

To  glad  the  eyes 

And  set  the  spirit  dreaming 

Of  Ind  of  old 
Or  towers  of  gold 
With  heavenly  splendors  beaming, 

Sing  once  again, 
And  tell  him  when, 
Thy  pledge  in  truth  redeeming, 


"THOU    SWEETEST    BIRD.  IOI 


Thou  bringest  joy, 
It  shall  not  cloy 
Nor  be  less  than  its  seeming. 


WORDS   FROM  THE   PRESS. 


Of  Mr.  Aella  Greene's  new  volume  of  poems,  the  press  speaks  thus  : 

INTO  THE  SUNSHINE  is  the  very  happy  title  of  a  new  volume  recently  issued  by  Mr. 
Aella  Greene  of  Springfield,  who  goes  about  his  daily  duties  of  newspaper  life  always 
with  a  song  in  his  heart,  a  smile  on  his  face,  and  a  pleasant  word  for  everybody  he 
meets.  His  new  volume  takes  its  sentime-n  and  coloring  from  his  upright,  blameless 
and  busy  life,  and  is  appropriately  christened  "  Into  the  Sunshine."  Mr.  Greene  has 
published  another  volume  of  poems  which  has  a  prominent  place  on  the  center  tables 
of  the  best  people  of  the  times,  and  his  name  is  a  household  word  among  a  large  circle 
of  friends  in  the  Connecticut  valley.  Poems  in  his  new  volume  have  won  words  of 
warm  commendation  from  some  of  the  acknowledged  best  writers  of  the  day.  The  key- 
note of  the  beautiful  blending  of  the  soul  and  song  of  the  writer  is  effectively  touched 
in  this  extract  from  one  of  the  poems  of  his  new  volume : 

Live  in  the  sunshine  while  you  live, 

To  all  the  sad  your  sunshine  give, 

Live  in  the  sunshine  while  you  live. 

— Berkshire  Courier. 

Mr.  Aella  Greene's  volume  of  poems,  INTO  THE  SUNSHINE,  is  the  collection  to 
which  we  recently  referred  as  having  received  the  warm  commendation  of  President 
Garfield,  the  poet  Whittier,  and  other  eminent  men.  The  poems  are  imbued  with  the 
hearty,  healthy,  honest  spirit  of  a  genuine  New  England  faith  and  courage,  and 
while  there  is  not  lacking  a  cordial  contempt  for  mean  and  unworthy  deeds  the  general 
drift  of  the  volume  is  happily  expressed  in  its  title,  INTO  THE  SUNSHINE. — New  Eng- 
land Homestead. 

Some  of  these  poems  have  received  warm  praise  from  high  quarters,  and  all  of  them 
possess  decided  merit.  They  indicate  a  mind  quick  to  perceive  the  beautiful  in  nature 
and  the  good  there  is  in  humanity. — Berkshire  County  Eagle. 

Mr.  Greene,  since  Dr.  Holland's  death,  stands  without  a  peer  as  the  delineator  of 
New  England  life  and  scenery. — Ibid. 

All  the  poems  are  marked  by  Mr.  Greene's  strong  originality,  his  characteristic 
sincerity  and  his  rugged  good  sense. — Holyoke  Herald. 

"  Bright  on  your  Native  Hills"  has  the  fragrance  and  the  rich  beauty  of  the  New 
England  landscape  and  rivulets  of  which  it  tells.  —Windham  County,  Vt.,  Reformer. 


IO4  WORDS    FROM    THE    PRESS. 

More  and  more  the  true  poetic  intuition.  —  I'ermont  Phoenix. 

Bright  flashes  of  wit  and  sentiment,  whose  striking  characteristics  of  originality 
and  simplicity  will  be  greatly  admired  by  all  lovers  of  genuine  poetry. — A  thai  Tran- 
script, 

Very  complimentary  things  have  been  said  by  poets  known  the  world  over,  con- 
cerning some  of  Mr.  Greene's  poem's.  Mr.  Whittier  terms  them  "very  happy." 
May  the  muse  of  this  poet  of  our  valley  long  continue  to  sing. — Greenfield  Gazette. 

Mr.  Greene  has  a  real  poetic  vein.—  Springfield  Republican. 

The  poems  of  the  new  book  are  pure  in  sentiment  and  unaffected  in  expression. 
A  few  pieces,  like  the  portrait  of  "William  Williams  "  and  the  sketch  of  "  The  Critics  " 
are  neatly  sarcastic  ;  but  the  majority  are  thoughtful,  reflective  verse. — Holyoke  Tran- 
script. 

Prof.  J.  W.  Patterson  of  New  Hampshire,  the  best  literary  critic  in 
the  Granite  State,  refers  to  Mr.  Greene's  rhythmic  work  as  "  real 
poetry  in  thought  and  expression ;  "  and  concerning  it  that  scholar 
statesman,  the  illustrious  JAMES  A.  GA.RFIELD,  before  he  ascended 
"  Where  the  Noble  have  their  Country,"  made  his  estimate  as 
"  sweet "  and  "  bright,"  giving  the  author  permission  to  send  these 
facts  to  the  world  coupled  with  the  Garfield  name.  The  celebrated 
divine  and  scholar,  Bishop  Simpson,  said  of  "Always  with  Thee,"  and 
others  of  the  poems,  "  I  prize  them  as  specimens  of  good  poetry;  "  and 
President  W.  F.  Warren  adds  his  commendation,  wishing  the  "  author 
many  hours  of  equally  happy  inspiration." 

The  following  is  a  specimen  of  the  announcements  of  the  press  prior 
to  the  issuing  of  the  first  edition  of  INTO  THE  SUNSHINE,  in  1881  : 

The  friends  of  Mr.  Aella  Greene  of  Springfield,  Mass.,  rejoice  with  him  in  the  well 
merited  encomiums  which  crown  his  muse  with  the  fadeless  wreath.  Two  of  his  happi- 
est productions  are  characterized  by  Whittier  as  possessing  "  a  true  feeling  of  poetry 
and  much  rhythmical  felicity."  Three  other  American  poets  of  national  fame  bear 
emphatic  testimony  to  the  high  character  of  these  productions,  and  four  of  our  most 
distinguished  college  presidents — Rev.  Dr.  Mark  Hopkins  among  the  number — accord 
to  this  author  his  deserved  meed  of  praise.  The  chair  of  literature  in  a  Scotch  university 
contributes  to  his  crown  of  rejoicing,  and,  mingling  with  these  tenderly  treasured  en- 
comiums, are  the  congratulations  of  governors,  statesmen,  and  divines,  who  refer  to 
them,  in  so  many  words,  as  "  above  all  price."  Only  a  few  of  Mr.  Greene's  personal 
friends  have  hitherto  known  of  the  honors  accorded  to  his  muse,  and  the  facts  are  just 
getting  beyond  that  circle.  It  is  whispered  that  a  new  volume  of  poems  is  soon  to  be 
issued  containing  the  gems  that  have  won  for  him  so  great  and  such  deserved  approba- 
tion.—  The  Household. 


WORDS   FROM   THE    PRESS.  1 05 

Concerning  Mr.  Aella  Greene's  previous  venture  in  verse,  "  Rhymes 
of  Yankee  Land,"  a  book  noting  persons  and  incidents  in  the  valley 
threaded  by  the  Connecticut  River  road  and  bright  with  the  shining 
waters  of  the  "sweetest  stream  that  flows,"  a  volume  issued  in  1872, 
there  were  many  praisef ul  words  from  press  and  people  ;  and  the  book 
ran  through  several  editions,  and  became  known  far  beyond  the  New 
England  section  of  America,  whose  homes  and  hills  furnished  the  orig- 
inals of  the  characters  and  scenes.  A  journal  in  the  Mississippi  valley 
said  of  the  book :  "  It  is  fragrant  with  simplicity  and  originality  of 
style  and  sings  as  charmingly  as  a  bird  in  the  forest  the  sweet  carols 
of  every-day  life."  An  Illinois  journal  found  "sketches  by  a  master 
hand,"  and  the  Battle  Creek,  Mich.,  Journal  noted  in  the  poems  a 
"  rare  rhythmical  beauty,"  words  which  remind  of  what,  eight  years 
later,  one  of  America's  bards  of  world-wide  fame  said  of  Mr- 
Greene's  efforts.  The  Springfield  Republican  thought  it  "  creditable 
to  Mr.  Greene  that,  in  an  imitative  age,  when  every  singer  has  more  or 
less  of  the  mocking  bird,  he  has  held  fast  to  his  own  experience  and 
his  own  arrangement  of  metres  and  tropes."  The  Congregationalist 
spoke  thus  :  "  Of  all  the  New  England  friends  to  whom  the  volume 
is  dedicated  there  cannot  be  one  who  will  not  be  gratified  with  the 
contents."  It  was  the  St.  Johnsbury.  Vt,  Caledonian  that  found  the 
utterances  fitted  to  "lighten  care  and  brighten  life;  "  the  Adams 
Transcript  found  the  book  to  "overflow  with  the  life  of  the  farm,  the 
school  and  the  meeting-house  ;  "  and  the  Providence  Journal  charac- 
terized the  work  as  "  unique,  original  and  truthful."  The  St.  Albans, 
Vt.,  Messenger  remarked  :  "  Mr.  Greene  knows  how  to  dispense  with 
superfluity,  and  his  poems,  severely  simple  and  strictly  true  in  thought 
and  utterance,  show  genius  and  care,  and  breathe  upon  us  the  pure  at- 
mosphere of  industrious,  cultivated  New  England."  The  Berkshire 
Eagle  discovered  in  the  book  "  merit  of  a  high  order,"  and  thirty  other 
journals  spoke  in  the  same  strain. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 
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